CHARCOAL AND BOTANIC IDENTIFICATION AND AMS RADIOCARBON DATING OF SAMPLES FROM THE HALLS SWAMP SITE (19-PL-1067), PLYMOUTH COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS

The Halls Swamp Site (19-PL-1067) is situated within the coastal town of Kingston, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. Various activity and occupation areas with cultural features including hearths, charcoal pits, trash and/or storage pits that contained chipped stone tools, chipping debris, burnt rock fragments, and/or charcoal were identified at this site. Diagnostic projectile points, including Neville-, Stark-, Brewerton-, and Small Stemmed-type, suggest occupation during the Middle and Late Archaic Periods (ca. 8000–3000 BP)(Heather Olson, personal communication October 9, 2014). Four different features were sampled for charcoal identification and subsequent AMS radiocarbon age determination to ascertain the periods of use.